Mike Tyson and his pigeons are not Mike Vick and Bad Newz Kennels

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) absurdly demonstrated Monday afternoon outside the Nevada home of former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, “Iron” Mike Tyson for his participation in pigeon racing.

Tyson was born and raised in the gritty Brownsville section of Brooklyn in New York City.

The man Ring Magazine ranked No. 16 on their list of the 100 greatest punchers of all-time in 2003 has been a pigeon racing breeder and fan since he was a child.

“I may have stopped fighting,” said Tyson, 43, still the youngest man to ever capture the heavyweight crown at 20. “But I never stopped flying birds. It’s my first love.”

Despite his notorious past and villainous reputation, Tyson was reportedly not violent as a youth until a bully messed with one of his beloved pigeons.

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"I rushed him and caught him flush on the temple with a titanic right hand," recalled Tyson of the incident that ultimately spawned his livelihood as a boxer. "He was out cold, convulsing on the floor like an infantile ****. I never hurt anybody until somebody hurt one of my birds."

Tyson, who lost three of his final four bouts as a prizefighter, retired after he suffered an embarrassing sixth round TKO loss to Dorchester resident Kevin McBride (34-6-1, 29 KOs) in June 2005.

Since he hung-up the gloves, Tyson has made strides to reinvent, and better, himself as a person.

PETA clearly stands for a noble cause and most of their efforts are justified and honorable.

Nevertheless, in this instance, the group is clearly attempting to make an issue out of nothing.

PETA has simply lost some credibility with their nonsensical stance against “Kid Dynamite.”

The animal rights organization needs to more prudently select their battles before they jeopardize their overall validity.

"I don't see how racing pigeons can possibly be an issue," said Mike McCarthy, 28, a Quincy native.

Michael Vick’s staple of Bad Newz Kennels dogs were not meant to maim each other.